Care homes 'failing' to protect vulnerable

A report by the Care Quality Commission has found that nearly half the care homes in England for people with learning disabilities are failing to meet required welfare standards.

There are currently around 12,000 people in care homes in England, according to the Department of Health.

The health regulator carried out surprise inspections at 145 hospitals and care homes.

They discovered that 48% of homes inspected did not "meet required standards" for care and keeping patients protected from abuse.

The CQC also said that independent care homes had double the likelihood of inadequate care than those run by the NHS.

They found that 68% of NHS providers met care standards compared with only 33% of independent care providers.

Out of the 145 visits, the CQC said 69 care homes did not attain one or both standards and 35 failed to meet both standards.

Andrea Pope-Smith, of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, said the CQC's report "acknowledges the extent to which those people have been failed".

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said the government was taking action in order to solve the problems apparent in the CQC's report, and that "there is compelling evidence that some people with learning disabilities are being failed by health and care services".